Wilma Ruth Coffman

Wilma Ruth Coffman, 84, of Kingsport went home to be with the Lord on Monday morning, November 25, 2024 at Brookdale Assisted Living, Colonial Heights. She was born to the late Oval and Buena (Light) Martin on December 29, 1939.

Wilma graduated from Sulphur Springs High School. She received a Bachelor’s of Nursing from East Tennessee State College, and a Master’s Degree in Adult Education from University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She was a labor and delivery nurse at Holston Valley Hospital for 15 years, and then became an instructor of the LPN program, working for the City of Kingsport Adult Education Program, and Johnson City School System.

In her spare time Wilma enjoyed spending time with her family, gardening, and sewing. She loved sharing her knowledge of these things with her children and grandchildren.

Wilma was a faithful follower of Christ and served the Lord at various churches ministering as a Bible Drill instructor, Vacation Bible School as music assistant, and student choir director. She also enjoyed singing in the church choir. Her greatest ministry to the Lord was spending over 65 years as pianist/organist. At the time of her death she was a member of Sullivan Baptist Church. She leaves behind a legacy of her love for the Lord and worshipping Him through music with her children and grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, Wilma was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Niles Lee Coffman, her father and mother-in-law George and Ora Mae (Ford) Coffman, and brother, Earl Martin; sisters-in-law, Jo Ann Coffman, Jean Coffman, and Martha Martin; brothers-in-law, Hugh Coffman, Edward Coffman Sr., Carl Coffman, and Eugene Parker.

Those left to cherish Wilma’s memory are her children, Steve Coffman (Linda), Ruth Fields (Mike), Andy Coffman (Erin); grandchildren, Ericha Coffman Garrison (Thomas), Nellie Kate Fields Birch (Zac), Drew Coffman (Julie), and Hannah Grace Coffman; great grandchildren, Maisy Garrison, Annie Garrison, Millie Garrison, Lydia Birch, Sarah Birch, and Abby Birch; sister-in-law, Marie (Coffman) Parker; nieces and nephews; Edward Coffman Jr. (Judy), Cathy Huckaby (David “Huck”), Katie Coffman, Darrell Coffman (Jill), David Martin (Lois), and Leslie Boucher (Fred); Aunt, Delores Hicks.

The family would like to thank some very special people who cared for her including the staff at Brookdale Colonial Heights, Smoky Mountain Home Health and Hospice, and special friends Earl and Nancy Elliott.

Celebration of Life Services will be held in the Chapel of East Lawn Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 11:00AM – 1:00 PM, with services proceeding visitation at 1:00 on Saturday, November 30, 2024. Burial will be held at Beulah Community Cemetery at 2:30 PM. Rev. Jeff Strong and Evangelist Charles “Toonie” Cash will be officiating the service, with music provided by Wilma’s grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the ministry of The Charles “Toonie” Cash Evangelistic Association at P.O. Box 3458 CRS, Johnson City, TN, 37602.